Michael Waltrip led a charge of “go-or-go-home” entries to the top of the grid Saturday in qualifying for the UAW-Ford 500 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

The top 35 cars in NASCAR Nextel Cup owners points are guaranteed a spot in the 43-car field each week and it was the drivers who had to make it on speed and worked strictly on qualifying in Friday’s practice who dominated in time trials for today’s race.

Waltrip managed to make the race lineup for the third straight week, but only the 11th time this season, as he earned his fourth career pole.

He turned a lap of 189.070 mph on the 2.66-mile oval, with Dave Blaney second at 188.838.

Mountain Dew 250

Todd Bodine barely held off Rick Crawford and Johnny Benson in a three-wide finish in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Talladega. Bodine beat Crawford by 0.014 seconds, about the length of a hood. Benson was 0.028 seconds behind the winner.

Chinese Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton is looking to become the youngest driver to win the Formula One driving title. All he needs is a good showing in Shanghai, China.

The 22-year-old McLaren driver took the pole position in qualifying for today’s race (overnight PDT) with rival and teammate Fernando Alonso finishing fourth.

He has 107 points and a 12-point lead over Alonso. Hamilton will become the first rookie to clinch the title if he finishes ahead of Alonso today or maintains at least an 11-point margin with only the Brazilian Grand Prix to go.